The Tatacoa Desert Tour from Bogota
Tour Overview
Start your trip at 6am with a pickup from your accommodation. Leave Bogotá traveling in the direction of Neiva and the Tatacoa Desert on a drive of approximately 5 hours. On the way you’ll pass through the department of Tolima and its scenic paddy fields. You’ll also get to try some suckling pig or local Tolimese "Tamales.”
Then continue to Villavieja, where you'll visit the city's paleontology museum before spending time exploring the Tatacoa desert with a guide. This dry region is the second largest arid zone of Colombia after the Guajira peninsula, and is characterized by two type of rocks with distinct colors: red rocks in the sector near Cuzco, and grey in the area near "Los Hoyos."
While discovering the desert, take a look for local wildlife including birds, snakes, spiders and ocelots. Even if you don’t spot any creatures, you’re sure to enjoy the spectacular landscape of the desert. Finish the trip with a unique chance to swim in a natural swimming pool in the middle of the desert.
Visit of the astronomical observatory and discover the beautiful starry sky far away from any light pollution.
Pass a night in Villavieja before going back to Bogotá the next day.
What's Included
Meeting Point
Pick up at your hotel
Customer Reviews
We have visited the Tatacoa desert, which are actually two: the red and the grey one. Great landscapes, nice experience in the evening at the astronomical observatory and a super-prepared local guide.
The description of the tour is a far cry from its reality! We were NOT picked up at 6:00 a.m. but rather 9:30 a.m. We NEVER went to the museum. We did NOT stay in a hotel, but a disgustingly dirty hostal. We both paid the same amount, but we're both in the same room..What?! Not even separate rooms?! Our guide barely spoke a word during the 6+ hour drive to the desert. The second day, we were supposed to be picked up at 9:00 a.m., but our guide and driver decided to go get breakfast...and got us at 9:30 a.m. The drive back, once again, filled with a deadening silence. Definitely NOT worth it.